Continental Divide Over the Harsh Colorado Rockies

The Rugged and harsh mountains of the San Juan Range in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

In this image I lensed while flying over these inhospitable wild lands during deep winter there are a number of different iconic mountains of the Rockies. This would be an incredible difficult place to have my engine quit while flying through here! 

In the center of this image, though hard to see now all blanketed in think snow lies Banded Peak Mountain  at 12,784 ft / 3897 m high. The Continental Divide goes straight up through the center of the image. Also in this image is a favorite climbing location known as Gramps Peak at 13300 ft / 4054 m.

From this Source I found the following interesting information about the San Juan Range:

Host to three counties' highpoints (Archuleta, Conejos, and Rio  Grande), the "South San Juan Range" could be loosely defined as the  portion of the San Juan Range south of Wolf Creek Pass, bounded by  highways 160 and 285 down to New Mexico.   

The range sees relatively few  visitors, and is somewhat remote, although access is available via an  abundant array of forest roads. Aside from county highpoint  enthusiasts and not-too-common 13er peakbaggers, the area does not see  too much overall hiking activity. Indeed, the lack of 14ers or high 13ers often translates to solitude, and there is an unending supply of  pristine wilderness to be explored.   

In this range there are 55 ranked peaks higher  than 12,000', and 16 peaks with more than 1,000' of prominence.   Many  who visit for the three county highpoints (which can be accomplished in a single day)  may choose not to return, but there are those who will not be able to  resist the lure of the area.   

Some of the most lush tundra in the state  with huge expanses above treeline and incredible vistas of the Continental Divide make this a special place. There are many rugged and  obscure high peaks at the southern and eastern end of the range, with  at least one peak known to be technical (Squaretop Mountain - 11,766'). Three population centers provide entry to the South San Juans - Del  Norte, South Fork, and Pagosa Springs, all reached via/located on  highway 160.  

The Board of Geographic Names does not recognize the area as a separate range, although the area is largely designated a wilderness area bearing  the name "South San Juan Wilderness", and is among the most rugged  wildeness areas left in the state.   

The "range" could just be  considered a southern cell of the San Juan Range. Railroad Pass is the  true lowpoint between the core of the San Juan Range and the South San  Juan Range, as opposed to a seemingly more obvious candidate, Wolf Creek  Pass. Railroad Pass is the key saddle for Summit Peak, the highest  peak in the South San Juans.   

The Piñon Hills to the east of the  contiguous peaks of the range have been intentionally omitted since hey  can be considered a separate subrange. The Rio Grande River (and its  South Fork) bound the range on the north and east side, and highway 160  parallels them. On the west side of the range begin the headwaters of  the San Juan River, flowing to New Mexico and on to Utah. Water seems  abundant nearby from just about anywhere within the range, and it is  host to a myriad of waterfalls, one of which is the destination of a  short hike off highway 160 below Wolf Creek Pass on the Pagosa Srings  side. 

 The last grizzly bear sighting in Colorado was within the South San  Juan wilderness in 1979 (killed during a dramatic attack involving  self-defense with arrow in hand), and some speculate that grizzlies may still roam the area. 

This image is from my ongoing project in which I am trying to raise awareness of the 47% of the USA and 90% of Canada that remain unpopulated wilderness.   

Where Eagles Fly - The American Wilderness Expedition is my personal mission to introduce people to these amazing locations that surround us.  

If you are interested in helping with this project I would love to have your assistance! Please consider upvoting or donating and then resteemit so that others may experience these wondrous places as well.      

Yehaw!!